Without international support, developing countries are unable to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and introduce measures to adapt to climate change. The international community hopes to mobilise USD 100 billion a year to help developing countries cope with challenges posed by the climate. The Green Climate Fund, which was set up in 2011 during the World Climate Conference in Durban, has an important role to play as it will be responsible for managing billions of dollars and for investing this money in developing countries over the coming years.

The Green Climate Fund Board is composed of 24 members, half of whom represent industrialised nations and half emerging and developing countries. Switzerland shares a seat with Russia, which will represent the constituency over the next 18 months.

On 23 August, Federal Councillor Doris Leuthard will travel to Geneva to welcome the Board members. At its first meeting, the Board will decide on the process to select the host of the new institution's secretariat from among the six countries that have expressed an interest. Ambassador Jürg Lauber, head of the United Nations and International Organisations Division at the Department of Foreign Affairs, will present the advantages of Geneva, Switzerland's candidate, to the Board. The city hosts the headquarters of many international organisations and non-governmental organisations, and along with the Lake Geneva region is a major hub of international environmental policy. The institutional and geographical concentration of organisations involved in related activities brings a further advantage in terms of greater efficiency. Five other states have also submitted their candidacy: Germany, Mexico, Namibia, Poland and South Korea. The final decision will be taken at the next climate conference in Qatar, in November 2012.

Besides the selection process for the secretariat, this first meeting will mainly be dedicated to establishing the organisational aspects of the Board. For example, its rules and procedures will be defined and the organisation of the interim secretariat determined. The Board will also outline an initial work programme.

Press briefing on 24 August

A media briefing will be held on 24 August from 2.30 pm to 3 pm at the Swiss Mission to International Organisations in Geneva. Ambassador Jürg Lauber will present the Green Climate Fund and the Swiss candidacy. Interested media are asked to register with Elizabeth Maret, Media Section, FOEN, 079 371 62 82 by Wednesday, 22 August.

Address for enquiries:

Publisher:

Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications

Internet: http://www.uvek.admin.ch/index.html?lang=en

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Internet: http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/recent/media.html